We love our smart. Everyone I know loves theirs. No regrets. It will always have a place on the counter. Too hot to put in a cabinet I think.

I have the Smart. The thing I like most about the size is I never am unable to fit a pan I want to use. I cook for two and have a few smaller rectangular baking dishes.

I don't find it to be a substitute for a regular oven as some have claimed. I don't bake in mine so convection doesn't matter, but I'm not so sure convection works well in an oven that size. I find that chicken breasts release their moisture and the oven traps it because of the size, thereby steaming before browning.

I never even noticed the insulated door. It still gets hot, especially the metal frame. The top is hot enough to keep pans of food warm.

We use ours as a toaster and in place of a microwave so it does get a workout.

I also love my Smart, but would not if it had to stay out on a counter. Mine lives on a shelf of my little stainless prep table in the center of the kitchen.

I also have the Smart, and love the size. Mine lives on a counter, but all my appliances do, so it isn't a big deal. In my next house, we plan to put it on a shelf. I mostly use it for toast in the morning, but also for heating frozen foods or re-heating things that don't microwave well. My son was always afraid of getting his bread out of the toaster, but is fine with getting it out of the Breville.

I have the Breville wooden cutting board accessory for the top, because the oven does get VERY hot. I don't cut on it, but I put the pan directly on it when I pull something out. I also put a cooling rack up there when I take things out of my regular oven that need to cool without the pan.

I have the Compact and wish at times to have the Smart, but was concerned with the extra size. It is living on the counter and replaced the toaster. I'm interested in the Smart's convection but am disappointed to hear that others have their concerns. My range has such great convection modes that almost work like an air fryer, so the Compact toaster oven is a bit of a disappointment for getting things crispy and browned.

I have both. I got the larger one when my range failed about 3 yrs. ago. That, an induction plate & my electric pressure cooker got me through a long period without a working range.

When we remodeled I took the induction burner & large Breville to use at our lakehouse. I'd been spoiled with its efficiency & short preheats & prefer using it when I don't need the space in my range oven.

I bought the smaller model to use in my new kitchen as the compact size isn't as imposing in the space I allotted for it. I rarely used the convection mode, so don't miss it. It's our only toaster. It's great for that & most all the other ways I use my larger one.

Baked this bacon & onion quiche in my compact Breville. Evenly baked w/ nicely browned crust.

Love my Brevilles!

I have the smart as my husband bought it as one of his gadget. It has been a life saver since we're now coming up to one year for NO kitchen.

It sits on top of our microwave in the bathroom. Yes the bathroom. DH wanted his toast and bagels without going downstairs.

I've cooked full meals with it including pizza, fish, chicken, steak, etc.. We use it every day 3x a day. The Smart doesn't seem that big once it arrived. We've toasted up to 6 pieces of toast at a time. Next up is a full turkey.

I can seem to give up my Smart, even after our kitchen remodel. We toast/reheat in it daily and bake salmon for two in it at least once a week, among other things. Even after purchasing a 240 Monogram speed oven (which also gets a workout daily), I still can't let go of the Smart oven. Just make sure that you have room on your counter for it (it's HUGE), and not in a cabinet (it gets HOT).

amck2, since you have both, maybe you're best to answer this question? I want a Breville as a second oven, just to use at times when I don't need the space in my big oven. Or the rare times I need a second oven. Mainly just the holidays. I don't want something too large. And my regular oven has convection so I don't feel I really need it in a second oven. Do you think the compact would be fine for me?

I looked on the Breville site and saw that there is a Mini, in addition to the Smart & Compact. Then I went downstairs to check that mine is, indeed, the Compact. I snapped a pic so you can see the size relative to my 30" range.

I use mine on Thanksgiving to bake homemade dinner rolls while the turkey is roasting. This past weekend I made apple crisp in it. I use it during the week to roast vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, when it's just DH & me. I cook bone-in chicken breasts in it for sandwiches. It's how I reheat pizza and Spanikopita - things that get doughy warmed in the microwave.

Honestly, I use it as much or more than the oven in my range most weeks. I'm reluctant to steer you away from the full size, if you think you'll benefit from the extra room & convection. But for my use, the Compact serves me as well as the Smart did.

I can't say much about pros and cons of the Smart vs Compact, but I've had a Smart oven for about 4 years now and I love it. We are a 2 person household so it is just right for baking, roasting and broiling lots of main courses for us. In fact, tonight I used it for our supper of baked salmon and asparagus. It is used almost daily and sits diagonally on a corner of the counter, so it doesn't seem like a space hog to me. I doubt I would be happy with anything smaller.

I have an older model Breville with convection. I love it! It's a great little oven. I use the broiler to cook steak, asparagus, roast vegetables. I also like my teens to use use the Breville instead of our large gas oven. They reheat, toast, bake and I feel it's more manageable for them, especially when I'm not home.

I knew this was the right place to ask! I so appreciate all the replies and experience. I expected some here might have both -- most helpful to have the comparisons.

My impression was that it could stand in for small tasks. I have a fabulous Miele wall oven that I'm slavishly devoted to for its amazing performance but I always feel a little guilty running it for 30 minutes just to cook less than a pound of salmon or 2 sweet potatoes. Also, I just started to include recipes on my blog and I could see it coming in handy.

I'm a big space challenged in my kitchen as it's medium size and I don't like a lot of stuff out. I have a spot picked out under my plate rack and there's plenty of clearance.

@pippiep - thanx for mentioning the cutting board -- sounds handy for the top.

@amck - gorgeous quiche and hard to believe it was baked in the Compact. That's quite an endorsement. Helpful to know you aren't missing the large one with the convection.

@nightowl - no cabinet here for it. My counter is stainless though so heat resistant.

@beachem -- you made me laugh with the bathroom. Sounds like you need a "summer kitchen" up there for the DH LOL. I cooked in the laundry room during our reno. But a year. ((((beachem)))).

@hsw - my impression was the Smart was quite large -- even though by measurement it's only about 2 inches larger.

@reff31 - Ok, I checked the comparison chart again and I understand what you're explaining. Thanks for boiling it down. I had a brief sense of deja vu during the first look -- it was like trying to figure out which dishwasher years ago. My coupon is at Crate and they only have Smart & Compact. They look to be discounted --- expect to make space for the Pro and the Plus. I need to move quickly I think.

@gooster -- I know you cook a lot. Like you, I'm concerned with size and for me weight is also an issue as I often need to move things around.

Just need to find a minute to read the instruction manuals to be sure I won't hate the presets.

My thanks again. I've been unloading for a few years now so adding something has become a process vs the simple decision it used to be.

@rococogirl - Glad to be of help I spend at least several hours a week explaining the differences between the models!

Just a word to the wise. Double check your Crate coupon. Breville products are usually an exclusion from all our coupons/special promotions unless it is for a specific Breville product. They are technically an exclusion for that other company that is always sending coupons. It's almost like a non-compete clause, we all "have" to sell Breville products for the same price. I would guess the same would be true of C&B.

@reff - ts actually their rewards points. Can be used for anything. But purchase will be totally coverd if I move on this with the price cut in place. Your explanation made me realize I need to decide and move on it. Much apppreciated

While you're around, is the nutri bullet any good? i've had the same blender since 1969. never used it much so the motor's ok. But the glass container etched. Cant decide if Im better off keeping or replacing. i know the answer with the KA but blenders eeem to be different. Or not?

Is it really necessary to have a separate circuit for the Breville ovens as specified in the manual? One interesting thing I saw in the Q&A section on the BB&B site was that the Smart requires 18 inches of space above the oven for safe operation ... putting it under upper cabinets wouldn't work if that's the case. The Compact only requires 4 inches of space above. The questions were answered by Breville reps.

jelly, can't hurt. They do use a lot of energy. Mine isn't on its own circuit, but the lights do blip occasionally when it's running.

@rococogirl Sorry I just saw your post now on the Nutribullet. We don't sell them so I don't have any experience with them beyond the infomercial. The only blenders we sell in the store are 2 by Breville (Hemisphere and Hemisphere Twist) and several models of Vitamix (which I love).

@reff- Thanks. I know about vitamix but cannot see the value vs usage. Didn't know nutribullet wasn't sold in stores. Think I'll pass and stick with what I have. It's not pretty but those ancient Osters were built to perform and it certainly has.

@jellytoast - I'm one of the early no-upper cabinets kitchens here so cabinet clearance isn't an issue thought it's good to know. Pretty sure I'm going with the compact -- just want to be sure about the presets.

I have a Nutribullet - my sister gave it to me. They're pretty awesome.

@rococogurl (sorry about the misspelling). I think Nutribullets are sold in some brick and mortar stores. We don't sell them though.

I think the expense of a Vitamix is worth it if you use it a lot. I have a Blendtec which is equivalent to a Vitamix and it makes terrific green smoothies, soups, nut butters and sorbets so much quicker and easier than more inexpensive blenders and other gadgets. And you can make your own flour. If I could only choose one small appliance in my home, I'd actually choose my Blendtec over my KA mixer. Although I'd sob as the KA was being taken away. I simply use the Blendtec more. Most Vitamix owners I know are just as attached to theirs.

I have 2 food processors, a KA mixer, a hand mixer, an immersion (stick) blender, the ancient Oster and another blender DD left behind. I can see spending, say $70 for an updated blender that does something the Oster doesn't do. My question is what?

Love ya funky but none of those tasks call to me. Afraid I've already been there with milling flour and sorbet years ago.

Oh, I'm not saying that everybody needs or has a use for the more high-powered blenders like the Vitamix and Blend-Tec. If you don't, that's cool. I'm just saying that for some of us, it's a worthy expense. I think I was posting more for others who might be reading and wonder if a more expensive blender would be useful for them. We all eat differently so it's very much a YMMV thing.

We almost bought a Blendtec when our last blender died, but we ended up with a Ninja Mega Kitchen system for around $100. We mainly use the blender to make smoothies, and once or twice a year I use it to help in making freezer jam. The Ninja came with a large jar and also 3 individual blender cups, much like the Nutribullet, and they work insanely well for smoothies and they are easy enough to use that my 7 year old can make her own. My SIL has a Magic Bullet and it doesn't work half as well and needs more liquid added. Not sure if the Nutribullet is different in some way, but after seeing hers work I'm glad I stuck with the Ninja.

@funkycamper -- good point. May be answering my own question.

@scoutfinch - our sil also has the ninja and loves it. Good to know how it stacks up. Perhaps I'm looking at the wrong brand.

I'm thinking of replacing my toaster oven and I have to replace the microwave. Reading this thread....... could I get by with just the compact and no microwave? I warm up a plate of left overs or bake a potato in the microwave. It's just a huge reheating appliance. My toaster oven is tiny but I do use it to heat left overs as much as the microwave. Microwave pizza doesn't hit the spot! My total width max is 37 inches. I spent quite a while looking at microwaves and toaster ovens that together would fit that space. There is a circuit there for both now and the dishwasher is on it, too, so I can't run all 3 at once.

Happy&Knowit:

The only thing I do in the microwave that I don't do in the Breville is reheat my cold coffee, so if I had to go without the microwave, I could. I would just plan a little more time to bake potatoes (they are so quick in the MW) If you had to settle on a Compact or a MW, I think the Compact is more versatile.

I'll say this. I've lived successfully without a toaster oven for many years. However, I never could live without the microwave. I could live with a pair of freezer drawers, a single dish drawer an induction hotplate with no problem as long as I had the microwave (and the espresso machine).

I ordered the Breville Smart Oven Pro a couple months ago because I don't have a second oven and I thought it would help with that. I've never had a toaster oven before. They sent me the "Plus" instead so they picked up the wrong one and sent me the Pro. The Pro has an interior light which I wanted. I absolutely love it. Even putting leftover pizza in it gets it nice and crispy. So many settings. If I have dinner done before dh is home, I can put it in there on a warm setting. If a pre-programmed setting isn't working for a particular food, you can adjust the time and/or temperature after its started. The convection works great. There's a pullout crumb tray. It does get very hot on the exterior, so allowing for about 3 or 4 inches away from everything on all sides is needed.

Love everything about it.

rococogurl, I bought the Compact because I just didn't have room for the bigger version. I loved it so much I bought the big one for my mother because she had more space. I use them both regularly and I'm not a convection fan so I love them both equally. They bake equally well, and as well as my Elux wall oven. The weekly salmon turns out fabulously.

One thing I like better about the bigger oven is that when you open the door, the rack slides out automatically. A small thing, but it can be a pain to get hold of a hot rack wearing mits.

Also, I believe they have started making the bigger version in red, if it matters. I got both with 20% off coupons at BBB. Folks here told me they would take them despite the fine print, and they did -- if you want to save your points.

zwizzle, how long to bake a potato? Yup. Reheat the cold coffee.

The more I look at all the choices the more confused I get. Why don't they make white counter top appliances! I want white! I'll take a red one before I take stainless or silver.

We have the Compact Smart Oven. The Smart Oven seemed soooo large when I bought ours (and more $), and I didn't want take up even more counter space. Most of the time, the Compact Smart Oven is large enough for us. Once in a great while, I think it would be nice to have the bigger version to use as a second oven (we only have one oven in our kitchen), but like I said, for the most part, the Compact Oven is fine.

All the photos and experience you all so generously provided were a huge help to me. Update: I spent my precious points on the compact and it fits perfectly under my plate rack! However, I did get a laugh this morning when I had to read a book to learn how to make toast!

Just wanted to thank everyone on this thread for their input & suggestions. So many things these days offer convenience but turn out to be a PITA and end up in the donation box. It was great to know in advance that I wasn't stumbling into that.

Do think I really will enjoy the Breville.

(Just a P.S. to anyone doing any shopping at Crate & Barrel for the holidays. I didn't know about this at all. I bought ornaments for Xmas gifts at Crate last year. They offered 10% off that purchase if I took out their credit card, so I did. I didn't buy another thing there until September when we needed a new sofa on sale. I used their card. That purchase gave me 1% points valid for several months. I used those points for this purchase, also on the card, online putting in the coupon code. This was a very nice added value to the sofa purchase. )

rococogurl, how much clearance do you have over your oven? I really want one of these, but if it can't really be used on a contertop with cabinets overhead, then I have no space for one. (I'm considering the compact, not the full-size).

I don't have uppers. It's 13 inches to the bottom of the plate rack and about 8 inches to the cups. Photo might help you compare. I was worried the compact would be too large. But it's really a perfect scale for my space. Big enough to be useful; small enough to not be in the way. Turns out the top of the oven doubles as a plate warmer -- which for me is ideal. It also can take a bamboo cutting board (extra accessory).

It can be used with overhead cabinets. Heat isn't going to reach your cabinets. I have had steam escape from the door so I set mine a few inches away from the wall. But it's no big deal to pull it out a little if you're going to bake something moist for an hour.

Thank you!

I thought that this was a really interesting review of several of these counter top models. Breville had the top spot until recently....

http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-best-toaster-oven/

I'm lusting after the pro model for the slow cook function. My range is gas and so I don't like to leave it on while we are gone for hours on Sunday's, but I'd love to have a meal ready when we come home. So the pro sounds like it would be perfect. I just don't know about clean up. Most toaster ovens I've owned in the past look pretty gross after a while just from cooking pizzas. I can only imagine how one would look after cooking a chicken.

So I'm debating between the pro breville and something like a nesco roaster.

According to the users and the guide the oven will definitely roast. There is a roast setting. But without a splatter guard, I'll stick to my regular oven for larger things like a whole chicken or meats.

Used this for the first time to cook an Amy's frozen pizza which DH likes. Quick preheat, perfect result. What a pleasure!